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Ready to take control of your money in 2018? By making a few small changes now, you can start now with a plan to get your spending and savings back on track.

From cable bills to everyday spending habits, these 23 tips will help you save more, spend less and get on the fast track to financial success!

23 ways to save more every month!

1. Set goals.

You might think that first on our list should be the infamous New Year’s resolutions we’ve become so accustomed to year after year. But since New Year’s resolutions tend to flop by January 30 each year, goal setting is a much better option!

Setting goals is a habit for people who win with money, and it should become a habit for you too. Studies have shown that just by having a goal for something it brings you closer to that goal versus not having any goal at all.

An important part of this equation is making sure your goals are S.M.A.R.T.: Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time oriented. Once you have a goal or goals in mind that include all of these attributes, chop your goal into smaller pieces, or milestones, that you can hit more easily. Once you hit each milestone, celebrate! This will help to encourage you as you move forward toward your financial goals.

Also, write down your financial goals, and put them in an obvious place so you see them often — such as on the refrigerator or next to a door you walk through frequently.

2. Budget.

It’s hard to tell where you’re headed if you haven’t mapped out where you are! The word ‘budget’ gets a bad rap — but it’s not about depriving yourself or taking things away — it’s about adding freedom to your life. When you take control of your spending and saving, you give yourself the freedom to make certain choices when you want to make them. Bottom line: budgeting isn’t as scary or as difficult as it sounds — it’s just about making sure your money goes where you want it to go.

4. Slash excess spending.

Every so often, it’s a good idea to track your purchasing history to see where your money is going. An easy way to do this is by using budget apps like Mint.com or BillGuard.com. Then, once you see where your money is going, you can make adjustments where necessary. Do you really need to buy that new iPhone or Android device ever time a new one comes out?

5. Cut monthly bills.

Monthly expenses can bite us if we aren’t careful. Cable is no exception! With the average cable bill being about $99.10, according to Liechtman Research Group, cable and other monthly expenses can really add up over time. (This free service will even cut your monthly bills for you!)

6. Switch up your grocery routine.

There is no doubt that spending in the grocery category of your budget can vary a TON from household to household. I’ve read about people who spend anywhere from $70 to $1,500 – for just two adults.

But the good news is, even if you have trouble spending in the grocery category, this is one place where you can save a ton! It just requires a little extra time, a few sacrifices, and some practice.

If you’re new to saving-friendly grocery shopping, be sure to consider Aldi as a lower cost option. Also, you’ll want to avoid these 18 foods that can put a massive dent in your grocery bill, and be sure to check out these 7 ways you can save the most money on your groceries.

7. Transfer debt to a lower interest credit card.

If you have credit card debt, doing a $0 balance transfer might be a big way to save. However — you’ll want to be careful: If you don’t allow yourself enough time to pay off the card before the interest offer expires, you could be hit with even bigger interest fees than what you are paying now.

8. Be picky about your savings account.

Picking the right savings account is essential in order to make sure you can save the most and earn the most while your money is being tucked aside for a rainy day.

Online savings accounts such as Ally.com and Capital One 360 are fee-free and have online savings account options that allow you to earn 1% or .75% on your money, respectively. But, there are many types of savings accounts you can choose from. Be sure to pick one that aligns the best with your needs.

10. Invest under the right tax shelter.

How you save for retirement makes a BIG difference in how much you’ll earn over the course of your working years. Be sure to follow Clark’s Investment Guide to save the most for retirement! In addition, save even more as you invest by using a fee-only financial planner.

11. Switch your car.

The average American spends $479 a month on a new auto payment, according to Edmunds.com.

That’s a hefty price to pay, especially considering just how much money this eats up over time — not to mention the opportunity cost of not having this money freed up to save for retirement or take advantage of compound interest!

If your car payment is more than 10-15% of your monthly income, you might want to switch your car for something with a lower monthly payment, or opt to pay for something less expensive with cash.

17. Use an automated savings plan.

If you use direct deposit, many employers can set up a percentage or dollar amount every paycheck to go directly into a savings account of your choice. As long as you keep a certain minimum or do a direct deposit of a certain amount, most bank savings accounts should be fee-free. You can also use the fee-free online savings banks such as Ally.com and Capital One 360 listed above.

20. Re-shop your car insurance.

Also, according to Consumer Reports, even if you shop around and find that your coverage is still the least expensive, there may be ways to save within your policy. ‘Depending on where you live, raising a deductible to $1,000 from zero could reduce your collision deductible by as much as 47%,’ according to CR. And here’s one other important note from CR: ‘Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive when the annual premium for that portion of that coverage exceeds 10% of your car’s book value.’

21. Make coffee at home.

A splurge here and there is no big deal, but when you’re buying coffee every day — or every weekday — it can really start to add up! Your daily coffee habit could actually be costing you anywhere from $500 to $600 a year, and that’s a lot of money that could be saved.

22. Track your spending.

Tracking your expenses is the best way to get control of your money.

For a few reasons. First, if you want to stop living paycheck to paycheck, you have to know where your money is going and you have to give every dollar a purpose. Tracking how much money is coming in versus how much is going out — and where exactly it’s all going — is the key in making smart financial decisions that have a big impact on both your life now and your future.

If you don’t pay attention, it becomes very difficult to make sure that you’re adequately prepared for each of your big goals — including retirement savings and even shorter-term goals, like buying a house and building an emergency savings fund.

23. Exercise patience.

You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” and neither is financial success! Though wealth comes suddenly for a few, the great majority of people will win with money by having a “tortoise over hare” approach to money. Slow and steady wins the race. If you have a big goal or a big debt to pay off, this will take time, hard work and A LOT of patience. But, with a goal, a plan and the patience to follow through, you will get there!

Charis Brown is the Senior Deals Editor for ClarkDeals.com. Her favorite discount store is Nordstrom Rack, where she once bought something for $.01! She and her husband Justin paid off $27,000 of debt in 11 months and now live debt-free.